Frequently asked questions
These are the questions local business owners ask us most. They cover cost, contracts, websites, ads, local SEO (search engine optimization) and AI search. If yours isn't here, call us at (561) 867-6555 or email support@velly.io.
Last updated
Working with us: the short version
Who does the work?
We do. Aidan in West Palm Beach and Brian in Bozeman handle your work from start to finish. We don't send any of it offshore. You deal with us directly, with no account managers and no hand-offs. The people who audit your business are the same people who build the fixes and check the results. If you need something outside what we do, we'll tell you and connect you with someone good.
What do I keep if I stop working with you?
Everything that's yours stays yours. Your Google and Meta ad accounts, your Google Business Profile and your domain belong to you. If you leave, you can keep the domain where it is or transfer it out. Your website stays live as long as hosting is paid, at $20 a month or through the $127 monthly plan, and hosting is included while you run Google Ads with us. We also help you export your contacts. Some agencies set these accounts up in their own name, which makes leaving hard. Whoever you work with, check that your domain and ad accounts are registered to you.
Is the website really free if we run Google Ads with you?
It is, when you run Google Ads with us. Each campaign also comes with a landing page, and your $20 monthly hosting is included for as long as the ads run. Running the ads has two costs. You pay Google directly for your ad spend, from your own account. Our management fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500 monthly minimum. If you spend $1,500 on ads, our fee is $500. If you stop the ads, hosting goes back to $20 a month. Canceling before month 3 means you pay the rest of the website quote. Our $127 monthly plan isn't part of the bundle, but we recommend it, because it lets us keep updating your landing pages to bring in more calls and leads.
Can we meet in person?
We can if you're near West Palm Beach or Bozeman. In Florida, we meet at our office at 319 Clematis St #300 in West Palm Beach or anywhere nearby, from Broward County north to Fort Pierce. In Montana, Brian meets clients anywhere within about 45 minutes of Bozeman. If you're farther away, we meet on a 20-minute strategy call by phone or Google Meet, whichever you prefer. We go over your audit with you in person or on that call.
Will we have to change how we work?
No. We set things up around how you already work. Review requests go out by text, email or both, at whatever point in your process makes sense. Our CRM (customer relationship management) system connects with most of the tools you already use, so you don't have to switch everything on day one.
Do I have to sign a long contract?
No. Ongoing work is month-to-month, and you can cancel with a text or an email. Websites are a one-time price per project. On the free-website bundle, canceling before month 3 means you pay the rest of the website quote. Hosting is included while you run Google Ads with us and goes back to $20 a month if the ads stop.
Getting started & choosing an agency
Is the audit really free?
Yes. We review how customers find you, request a quote and hear back, then send a report with recommended fixes. Every audit includes a 5-question "Does AI recommend you?" check. Your report is ready in 3 business days. The audit doesn't commit you to paid work.
How do I book a free audit?
Use the form at velly.io/#contact, call (561) 867-6555 or email support@velly.io. After we review your request, we confirm the scope with you. Your audit is ready in 3 business days.
How fast will we hear back?
You hear back from Aidan or Brian directly once we've reviewed your request. We confirm the scope with you then. The audit itself takes 3 business days.
How long does the free audit take?
The free audit takes 3 business days. In that time, we shop your business like a secret shopper. We search for you, ask for a quote and follow the reply the way a new customer would. You then get a short, plain-English report on what works and where customers run into trouble, with evidence. We go over it with you in person if you're near West Palm Beach or Bozeman, or by phone or Google Meet if you're not.
Can we start with just one project?
Yes. You can start with a website on its own, one campaign or one process that needs fixing. If you run Google Ads with us, the website is free. Each campaign also comes with a landing page, and hosting is included while the ads run. On that bundle, you pay Google directly for your ad spend. Our management fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500/month minimum. If you cancel the bundle before month 3, you pay the rest of the website quote. We can only fully fix SEO (search engine optimization) and AI search visibility on sites we build.
What does a digital marketing agency do?
A digital marketing agency helps people find your business online and turns that interest into paying customers. The work usually covers websites, SEO (search engine optimization), paid ads, social media and email. We also handle what happens after someone reaches out. That includes a CRM (customer relationship management) system that tracks every inquiry, instant text and email follow-up, an AI phone agent for missed calls, and estimates and payments.
Should I use a marketing agency for my small business?
Often, yes, if you never seem to get to marketing or can't tell what's working. If you have the time and like learning it, doing some of it yourself is cheaper. You can also hire help for just a few tasks, like a website or ads, and do the rest yourself. That keeps costs down. You can buy any one of our services by itself, including a website.
What are the downsides of using a marketing agency for a small business?
The main downsides are cost, less day-to-day control and the risk that results fall short of what you paid for. Some agencies also lock you into long contracts or keep your domain and accounts in their own name, which makes leaving hard. You can avoid most of this by keeping accounts in your name and asking for reports tied to calls, leads and booked jobs. Our ongoing work is month-to-month. Your Google and Meta ad accounts, Google Business Profile and domain stay yours if you leave.
How do I choose a digital marketing agency?
Pick an agency that can show you real work, explain its plan in plain English and tell you exactly who will do the work. Ask what results they expect, by when and how they measure success. Find out what experience they have in your industry and your area. Confirm that you'll own your accounts and data. Then ask how you'll stay in touch. Google suggests similar questions for hiring an SEO (search engine optimization) provider. It also tells you to beware of any SEO provider that claims to guarantee rankings.
What red flags should I watch for when hiring a marketing agency?
Watch for guaranteed rankings or lead numbers, long contracts, pressure to sign today, and an agency that keeps your domain or ad accounts in its own name. Google says no one can guarantee a #1 ranking. Its ad policies say an agency must give you your Google Ads customer ID when you ask. The same policies require the agency to clearly tell you about any management fee. No real case studies and undisclosed offshore work are warning signs too. With us, ongoing work is month-to-month. Your domain and ad accounts stay yours.
Should I work with a local marketing agency or a national one?
A local agency is often the better fit for a local business. A local team knows your market and what works there. You may also get more direct access to the decision-makers. National agencies bring more staff and reach, which helps with campaigns across multiple countries. We're based in South Florida & Southwestern Montana, with our office in West Palm Beach and local support in Bozeman. You work directly with Aidan and Brian. We meet in person if you're near either city.
Working with Velly: team, reporting & service areas
How do you report results?
You get a live dashboard, a monthly email or both. Reports show calls, leads, ad spend and the return on that spend. What's in yours depends on the services you have, but everything we run gets reported. We measure those numbers against goals we agree on with you, like more quote requests from a new website or fewer missed calls with the AI phone agent. When we set up CRM (customer relationship management) and lead tracking, every inquiry is tracked in one place. That lets you see what happened to each lead.
How do I know if the marketing agency I hired is doing a good job?
A good agency shows you what it did, what changed and how that connects to calls, leads and sales, rather than only impressions or likes. Expect clear reports and regular check-ins. You should be able to log in to your own accounts. If the agency runs your Google Ads, Google's policies say it must give you your customer ID when you ask. If you still can't tell what you're paying for, get a second opinion.
How long does it take to see results from digital marketing?
It depends on the channel. Paid ads can start bringing in leads within days or weeks of going live. Google says most ads are reviewed within one business day. SEO (search engine optimization) takes longer. Google's SEO guide says some changes take effect within a few hours, while others take several months. It suggests waiting a few weeks before judging the results. We give you timelines for websites and campaigns on our call, once we know the scope.
What is the onboarding process like, and how long does it take?
Onboarding starts once you choose what's worth fixing from your audit. Each change has a clear scope and price, so you know the cost before any work starts. For a website, you pay half to start and half at launch. If you're switching from another system, we move your contacts over and check them with you. We integrate with most existing tools, so you don't have to switch everything on day one. You get a timeline on our call, once we know the scope.
Do you have experience with businesses in my industry?
We've worked with a wide range of local businesses. Our 15 case studies include plumbing, turf installation, painting and refinishing, mobile and auto detailing, title and closing services, real estate, public adjusting, food and catering, entertainment and events, a marina and owner association, and retail. If your industry isn't on the list, the audit works the same way. We look at your business the way a new customer would and show you what we find.
Do you work with businesses in Bozeman, Montana?
Yes. We work across South Florida & Southwestern Montana. Brian is based in Bozeman and meets clients in person anywhere within about 45 minutes of town. Every project starts the same way in both places, with a free audit.
Do you only work with businesses in South Florida and Montana?
No. We work with businesses anywhere and do all of the work online. We're based in South Florida & Southwestern Montana. Most of our case studies are in Palm Beach County. A few are farther away, including a mobile detailing company in Maryland. If you're not near West Palm Beach or Bozeman, we meet by phone or Google Meet instead of in person.
Cost, contracts & ownership
What does it cost?
Every business is different, so we quote after the free audit. You'll know the price before any work starts. Most clients start with our bundle, which gives you a free website when you run Google Ads with us, with hosting included while the ads run. You pay Google directly for your ad spend. Our management fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500 monthly minimum. If you cancel the bundle before month 3, you pay the rest of the website quote.
How much should a small business spend on marketing?
There's no single right number. The U.S. Small Business Administration says there's no hard and fast answer, and that many businesses use a percentage of revenue as a guide. If you're just starting out, it suggests working from projected revenue. It also says to expect a bigger budget in the early days, while you build awareness and attract customers. If we run your Google Ads, plan for your ad spend plus our management fee. That fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500 monthly minimum.
How do I tell if an agency's price is fair or a scam?
A fair price is one you can see broken down in writing before you pay. Ask what's included, what's ongoing, and how much goes to the agency versus the ad platforms. Google says advertisers have the right to know the clicks, impressions and total cost of their Google ads. Count the agency's fees on top when you judge what the ads earn you. Walk away from anyone who guarantees a #1 ranking, since Google says no one can. The Federal Trade Commission warns not to let anyone rush you to pay.
How do I cancel?
Send us a text or an email at support@velly.io saying you want to cancel. Either one counts as the written notice we need. Our ongoing work is month-to-month. Clients on our website and Google Ads bundle who cancel before month 3 pay the rest of the website quote. Everything that's yours stays yours. Your website stays live as long as hosting is paid, at $20 a month.
Can I get out of a marketing contract early if I'm not seeing any work or results?
That depends on your contract. Check the cancellation clause, any notice period and the work the agency promised to deliver. If you're not seeing that work, ask in writing for the latest reports and a list of every change made. Google's questions for hiring an SEO (search engine optimization) provider include whether they'll share every change they make to your site. For anything legal, talk to a lawyer. Our ongoing work is month-to-month. Some of our services come with a guarantee, and if yours does, it's written into your contract.
What happens if I pay for SEO for a few months and then stop? Do I lose all the work?
You usually keep most of it, as long as your site stays live and your accounts are in your name. Site fixes, new pages and a cleaned-up Google Business Profile stay in place after you stop paying for SEO (search engine optimization). New content, review requests and listing updates stop. Without them, rankings can slip as competitors keep working. Google suggests asking any SEO provider whether they'll share every change they make to your site. With us, your Google Business Profile and domain stay yours. Your site stays live while hosting is paid.
Websites & landing pages
Can you help with an existing website?
Yes, we can. We look at your current site and what you need from it, then talk through the changes. If a rebuild makes more sense, we'll explain why. One limit is that we can only fully fix SEO (search engine optimization) and how you show up in answers from tools like ChatGPT on sites we build.
How much does a website cost?
We quote each website after the free audit, as a one-time price for the project. The price depends on how many pages you need and what the site has to do, such as take bookings, collect payments or send inquiries into a CRM (customer relationship management) system. You pay half to start and half at launch. After launch, hosting is $20 a month, or included while you run Google Ads with us. The $127 monthly plan covers hosting plus up to 3 hours of changes a month and automatic review requests.
How much is hosting, and what does the $127 plan include?
Hosting is $20 a month once your site launches, and it's included while you run Google Ads with us. The $127 monthly plan covers hosting, up to 3 hours of changes each month and automatic review requests. Those requests go to your customers by text, email or both, at whatever point fits how you already work. Payment processing and usage charges are itemized separately where they apply.
What do changes cost after launch?
Changes outside a plan are $85 an hour. The $127 monthly plan includes up to 3 hours of changes a month, plus hosting and automatic review requests. Bigger projects get their own quote, so you know the price before any work starts.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeline depends on scope, so we give you one on our call once we know what's being built. Size is a big factor, since a single landing page is a much smaller job than a multi-page site with booking, payments or connected tools. How fast content and feedback come together matters too. Having your photos, service details and approvals ready saves time.
Should I use Wix or Squarespace, or hire a web designer?
If you have the time and only need a simple online brochure, a do-it-yourself builder like Wix or Squarespace can work. Hiring help makes more sense when the site has to win jobs, with clear calls to action, fast mobile pages, online booking, forms that feed your follow-up and local SEO (search engine optimization) built in from the start. We custom-build every site for the business, either coded or in our page builder, depending on what you need.
Do I really need a website for my small business?
Most local businesses do. A website is the one place online you fully control, where customers can see what you do and where you work, then call, request a quote or book without hunting. Social profiles and directory listings help, but they run on someone else's rules. A clear site also helps search engines understand your business. Google says SEO (search engine optimization) best practices still apply to features like AI Overviews.
Is a website necessary if I already have a Google Business Profile?
In most cases, yes. Your Google Business Profile helps you show up in local results on Google Maps and Search. The profile has limited space and follows Google's rules. A website lets you explain your services, show your work and take bookings or quote requests. Google shut down the free websites it used to offer through Business Profiles in 2024, so the website link on your profile needs a real site behind it.
Do websites have to be ADA compliant?
For businesses open to the public, the U.S. Department of Justice says the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) applies to what they offer on the web too. The department has no regulation setting detailed technical standards for these websites. It points to existing standards such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as helpful guidance. We build sites to WCAG 2.2 AA. This is general information, not legal advice, so talk to a lawyer about your situation.
Can my website be optimized to generate more leads?
It can. The main job is making the next step obvious. Put a clear call or quote button on every page, keep pages fast on phones, use short forms and offer online booking. Follow-up after someone reaches out matters too. We can connect your site to a CRM (customer relationship management) system so every inquiry is tracked in one place, with an instant text and automatic follow-up.
Google & Meta ads
Is Google Ads worth it for a small business?
Google Ads is worth it when each new customer brings in more than it cost to win them. It shows your ad to people already searching for what you offer. You typically pay only when someone clicks. Those clicks become jobs only if calls get answered and leads get followed up. When we run your Google Ads, each campaign comes with its own landing page. We can also track every inquiry in one place. You pay Google directly for your ad spend, separate from our management fee.
Should I use Facebook ads or Google Ads for my local business?
It depends on how people look for what you do. Google search ads reach people who are already searching, which suits urgent jobs like a burst pipe. Facebook and Instagram ads reach people in your area by location and interests. They can also show your ad again to people who visited your website. Those ads suit jobs that look good in a photo or short video, like detailing, painting or turf. Meta, which runs both apps, may spend more than your daily budget on days with better opportunities.
How do you charge for ad management?
Our management fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500/month minimum. If you spend $1,500 on ads, our fee is $500. You pay Google or Meta directly for the ad spend, from your own account. That spend stays separate from our fee, so you can see what went to the platform and what went to us. Google requires any agency that charges a separate Google Ads management fee to tell new customers in writing before their first purchase. That fee also has to appear on every invoice.
What's a realistic budget for Google Ads?
No single number fits every business. It depends on your trade, your area and how many competitors bid on the same searches. Google suggests basing your budget on your goals and what you're comfortable spending each day. You can change it anytime. For most campaigns, Google may spend up to twice your average daily budget on a busy day, but it won't charge more than 30.4 times that amount in a month. If we manage your ads, our fee is usually a third of your ad budget, with a $500/month minimum.
How quickly can Google Ads start generating leads?
Ads can start showing quickly, but steady results take longer. Google reviews most new ads within one business day. With Smart Bidding, Google's automated bidding, the learning period never lasts more than 7 days. Performance can take up to one to two conversion cycles to settle. A conversion cycle is the usual time from click to lead. Google suggests judging results over two conversion cycles or two weeks, whichever is longer. We give you a timeline for your campaign on our call, once we know the scope.
Are Google Local Services Ads worth it, and how are they different from local SEO?
They can be, for service businesses in eligible categories. We set them up and manage them. Local Services Ads appear at the top of Google with a Google Verified badge. You pay per lead instead of per click. Google says lead prices vary by location, job type, type of lead and how you bid. In August 2026, Google began moving these ads into Google Ads, starting with some U.S. businesses. With local SEO (search engine optimization), you can't pay Google for placement, so you earn your spot in Google Maps and local results.
My agency won't give me access to my own Google Ads account. Is that allowed?
Whether that's allowed usually depends on your agreement with the agency, since Google's transparency rules for agencies don't say who owns the account. Those rules do require an agency to give you your Google Ads customer ID when you ask. Ideally you hold admin access yourself. Google suggests adding at least one more admin, in case one person becomes unavailable. With us, your Google and Meta ad accounts are yours, and they stay yours if you leave. You also pay for your ads from your own account.
Can I predict my cost per lead before running ads?
You can get a rough estimate, but the real number shows up once ads run. Google's Keyword Planner predicts clicks, cost and average cost per click for the searches you want. Combine that with an estimate of how many visitors become leads, and you get a forecast cost per lead. Google says its forecasts are less accurate when you target a small geographic area, which describes most local businesses. Once ads are live, tracking every inquiry in one place lets you check the forecast against real leads.
Local SEO
Do you offer monthly SEO, and what's included?
Yes, we offer monthly SEO (search engine optimization) for sites we build or host. Each month we keep your Google Business Profile active with posts and photos, keep your listings consistent across directories and manage your reviews. We also add pages for the services and towns you want to rank in. You get a report on rankings and calls every month. We quote the price after the free audit. We can only fully fix SEO and AI search visibility on sites we build.
How long does SEO take to show results?
There's no fixed date, because it depends on your starting point, your competition and what needs fixing. Google says some SEO (search engine optimization) changes can take effect in a few hours, while others can take several months. It suggests waiting a few weeks before judging whether a change helped. If we handle your monthly SEO, you get a report on rankings and calls each month, so you can watch the trend.
Is local SEO worth it for a small business?
Yes, local SEO (search engine optimization) is worth it for most businesses that serve a local area. It's how you show up when nearby customers search for what you do. Google ranks local results by relevance, distance and prominence. It also says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking. You earn it with a complete, verified Google Business Profile, accurate details, more reviews with good ratings and links from other websites.
What is the difference between SEO and local SEO?
Local SEO (search engine optimization) is the part of SEO aimed at nearby customers. Regular SEO helps search engines understand your website so it shows up for relevant searches. Local SEO targets searches like "plumber near me" in Google Maps and the local results near the top of the page. Your Google Business Profile, accurate business details and reviews all help with those local results.
How much do SEO services cost in West Palm Beach?
We quote SEO (search engine optimization) after the free audit, because every business is different. You'll know the price before any work starts. The cost depends on how competitive your field is, how many services and towns you want to rank for, and how much work your website and Google Business Profile need. Our monthly SEO is for sites we build or host. We can only fully fix SEO on sites we build.
What's the difference between SEO and PPC?
SEO (search engine optimization) earns you unpaid spots in Google's regular results. PPC (pay-per-click) ads are paid placements, and you're charged when someone clicks. Ads can appear soon after a campaign launches, but they run only while you pay. SEO is slower and builds your ranking gradually. Google says running ads has no impact on where your website appears in the unpaid results. You may also hear SEM (search engine marketing), which today usually refers to paid search.
Can I do local SEO myself, or should I hire an agency?
Much of local SEO (search engine optimization) is work you can do yourself. Creating a Google Business Profile is free. Google's own guidance covers the basics, like complete and accurate details, verifying your business, and getting and replying to reviews. Hiring help makes sense when you don't have the time, your market is crowded, or your website needs technical work. If you hire us, we can only fully fix SEO on sites we build.
Do you guarantee first-page rankings on Google?
We don't guarantee rankings. Google says no one can guarantee a #1 ranking. It also warns against SEO (search engine optimization) providers who claim to guarantee rankings. Some of our services do come with a guarantee, and if yours does, it's written into your contract. Each piece of work gets a clear scope and price before it starts. After that, we keep checking results against the goals we agree on.
SEO companies keep offering to do it for $199 a month. What do I get, and why does it need to be monthly?
What you get for $199 varies a lot, so ask what the fee pays for before you sign. A fair monthly SEO (search engine optimization) plan names the work, like fixing site issues, adding useful pages, managing your Google Business Profile and building reviews. It should also show you every change. Google suggests asking any SEO provider whether they'll share all the changes they make to your site. Google also says to be wary of agencies that send you unsolicited email. Monthly work makes sense because competitors, reviews and search results keep changing.
Google Business Profile & Google Maps
How do I show up in Google's local 3-pack?
Make your Google Business Profile as relevant and prominent as you can to earn a spot in the 3-pack, the box of three map listings near the top of local results. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence. It also says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking. Verify your profile and keep your categories, hours and details complete and accurate. Earn reviews and reply to them. Links from other websites add to prominence too. Distance is the one factor you can't change.
Can I use my home address for my Google Business Profile?
Yes, you can list your home address if you run the business from home. If customers don't come to you, Google says to hide that address so your profile shows only your service area. Google's own example is a plumber who runs the business from home. You can set up to 20 service areas. Google says the whole area shouldn't reach more than about two hours' drive from your base. P.O. boxes, remote mailboxes and virtual offices you don't work from aren't allowed.
Why is my Google Business Profile not ranking?
A Google Business Profile usually doesn't rank because it's unverified or suspended, incomplete, too far from the searcher, or outranked by competitors with more reviews and links. Start with verification and suspensions, since Google only shows verified profiles and hides suspended ones. Then make sure your categories, hours and details are complete and accurate. Use your real business name with nothing added. Google doesn't allow extras like taglines, services or towns in the name. For a new business, Google says rankings can take up to a month to appear.
How do I verify my Google Business Profile?
Verification is how you prove to Google that you run the business. Sign in to Google Business Profile, claim or create your listing, and follow the prompts. Google picks which methods you get, such as phone or text, email, a recorded video, a live video call or a postcard. Live video calls are only available during your business hours. You'll need to be at the business for the call and show proof, like signage, branded equipment or your keys. Google says verification reviews take up to five business days. On rare occasions, they take longer.
How long does it take for a new Google Business Profile to show up on Google Maps?
Expect anywhere from a few days to about a month. Verification reviews take up to five business days. Only verified profiles show on Maps and Search. After you're verified, Google says rankings for a new business can take up to a month to appear. A quiet first few weeks is normal for a new profile. Later edits, like new hours, can take up to three days to show. If your profile still isn't visible, look for a suspension notice or a missed verification step.
Should I hire someone to optimize my Google Business Profile?
You don't have to. Google Business Profile costs nothing to use, and you can run it yourself. Help makes sense when you can't keep hours, photos and review replies current, or when you're stuck on duplicates or a suspension. Google advises getting a written agreement that spells out the services and their costs. It also says no third party can promise or directly influence your ranking. Whoever you hire, stay an owner of the profile, because only owners control who has access. With us, your profile stays yours, even if you leave.
How much does Google Business Profile management cost?
Pricing depends on the work, so we quote it after the free audit. You'll know the price before anything starts. Google Business Profile itself is free, so you're paying for someone's time. If we build or host your website, profile management is part of our monthly SEO (search engine optimization). Each month we keep your profile active with posts and photos and keep your listings consistent across directories. We also manage your reviews and send you a report on rankings and calls.
Reviews & reputation
Do reviews impact local SEO rankings?
They do. Google counts how many reviews you have as part of prominence, one of its three main local ranking factors along with relevance and distance. In Google's words, more reviews and positive ratings can help your business's local ranking. Google also says replying to reviews shows customers you value their feedback. Positive reviews and helpful replies, it adds, can help your business stand out.
Can business owners remove negative reviews from customers?
No, you can't delete a customer's review yourself. You can report one that breaks Google's policies, like spam or a fake review. Google says not to report a review just because you disagree with it. A real negative review that follows the rules stays up. Your best move is a calm public reply. Apologize where it fits, keep private details out and ask the customer to call or email you so you can fix the problem privately. Never offer money, a discount or anything else to get a review removed, because Google prohibits it.
How can I remove fake reviews fast?
Reporting each fake review to Google is the fastest route. Even then, Google says evaluation typically takes several days. Flag the review from your Business Profile and pick the policy it breaks, such as spam. If a review stays up, you can file a one-time appeal for up to 10 reviews in Google's Reviews Management Tool. If someone posts bad reviews and demands money to remove them, don't pay. Take screenshots of their demands and submit Google's merchant extortion report form.
All my Google reviews are gone. Why did they disappear, and can I get them back?
Usually Google is holding or has removed them, and some do come back. New reviews can take a few days to appear while Google checks them. After two profiles merge, reviews from both can take a few days to show. Google sometimes turns off reviews for certain profiles or business categories for a while. It may also remove reviews after a suspended profile is reinstated. Reviews removed for breaking policy won't be restored. Check your profile for suspension notices first. If real reviews are still missing after a few days, contact Google support.
Do you respond to reviews for me, and how do you handle negative ones?
We reply to your good reviews for you. When a bad one comes in, we let you know right away. A bad review deserves a quick, calm reply, since future customers will read it. Google's advice is to stay polite, keep it short, apologize when it fits and never share the reviewer's private information. Google also suggests asking the reviewer to call or email so you can fix the problem privately. If the review is fake or spam, you can report it to Google for removal.
Can review requests go out to my customers automatically by text or email?
Yes, review requests can go out automatically by text, email or both. We set them to send at whatever point fits how you already work. Two of Google's rules apply here. Don't ask only the customers you think are happy, because Google prohibits selectively asking for positive reviews. Never offer a discount, gift or payment in exchange for a review either. Asking every customer also gets you honest feedback.
How much does review management cost, and how long does it take to see results?
Automatic review requests come with our $127 monthly plan, which also covers hosting and up to 3 hours of changes a month. If we build or host your website, managing your reviews is also part of our monthly SEO (search engine optimization). We quote monthly SEO after the free audit. How fast reviews build depends mostly on how many customers you serve, since more finished jobs mean more people asked. Google also checks new reviews before they appear, which can take a few days.
CRM, lead follow-up, booking & payments
Do I have to buy a CRM like Housecall Pro, or are there free tools for booking, scheduling and invoicing?
Free tools exist, so you don't have to buy one. A personal Google account can create a single booking page in Google Calendar. Separate free tools often don't connect, so leads, schedules and invoices can end up in different places. With us, booking, invoicing and follow-up all run in our CRM (customer relationship management) system. Your plan includes the tools needed for the work we agree on. Payment processing and usage charges are itemized separately where they apply.
How is a CRM supposed to get me more jobs?
A CRM (customer relationship management) system helps you win more of the leads you already get. In ours, every inquiry is tracked in one place and gets an instant text reply. Automatic follow-up goes out to new leads and to estimates that haven't been accepted, so nobody has to remember to chase them. Our AI phone agent can answer missed calls 24/7. After the job, automatic review requests help you earn reviews. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking.
Housecall Pro, Jobber or something newer: which is worth it for a small service business?
Whichever tool your team will use every day is the one worth paying for. Compare options on what you need, such as online booking, estimates and e-signatures, invoicing and card payments, a mobile app your crew likes, automatic text follow-up and a QuickBooks connection. We integrate with most existing tools, so if you already use one, you don't have to switch everything on day one. If you move to our CRM (customer relationship management) system, we move your contacts over and check them with you. Those contacts stay yours. If you leave, we help you export them.
Which business processes are worth automating?
Automate the repetitive steps where speed matters or things get forgotten. For most local service businesses, that means an instant reply to every new inquiry, answers for missed calls, appointment reminders, follow-up on estimates that haven't been accepted, review requests after a job, and a QuickBooks connection where supported. Pricing decisions, tricky conversations and the work itself are better left to you and your team. With us, you choose which changes are worth making. Each one comes with a clear scope and price.
How do you accept payments on your website?
The usual way is a payment processor, with a pay button, a payment link or an invoice the customer pays online. Use the processor's hosted checkout so card numbers never touch your own servers. When we set up payments for you, card payments go through our partner NMI. The Velly mobile app also lets you send invoices that customers can pay by card. Payment processing fees are itemized separately from our fees.
AI search: ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, AEO & GEO
Can you help my business show up in ChatGPT and Google's AI answers?
Yes, it's part of our work alongside local SEO (search engine optimization). We add schema markup (structured data) and answers to common customer questions. For the AI tools that read them, we add an llms.txt file and a Markdown copy of your key pages. We also keep your listings consistent and help you get more reviews. Each month, we ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews 10 to 15 real customer questions and report whether you're named or cited. Our free audit includes a 5-question "Does AI recommend you?" check. We can only fully fix AI search visibility on websites we build.
Can you tell if AI tools like ChatGPT recommend my business?
We can, and we check it every month. We ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google's AI Overviews 10 to 15 real customer questions, like "best plumber in West Palm Beach." We record whether you get named or cited and which competitors do. That goes in your report. Answers can vary by location and over time. Our free audit includes a 5-question "Does AI recommend you?" check. Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools also report how often your pages appear in their AI answers.
How can I get my business recommended on ChatGPT?
Make your business easy for ChatGPT to find. OpenAI says sites that block its OAI-SearchBot crawler won't appear in ChatGPT search answers. Check that your robots.txt file lets it in. ChatGPT search sometimes works with outside search providers, including Microsoft. Make sure Bing has indexed your site and your Bing Places listing is current. Keep your name, address, phone, hours and services identical everywhere. Ask every happy customer for a review. OpenAI hasn't published its ranking formula. It says placement isn't guaranteed and that it may use the searcher's approximate location for local results.
When I search on Google, some businesses get suggested by Google's AI. How do I get mine suggested?
You get suggested the same way you show up in regular Google results. Google says AI Overviews and AI Mode have no extra requirements and need no special optimization. A page must be indexed and eligible to show in Search with a snippet before it can appear as a link there. Google also says optimizing for AI search is still SEO (search engine optimization). According to Google, your Business Profile can help your services appear in AI responses too. In practice, that means a clear website, a complete Business Profile and steady reviews. Even then, Google doesn't guarantee a spot.
Why doesn't ChatGPT know about my business?
ChatGPT usually can't find enough clear, consistent information about your business. Its built-in knowledge comes partly from public information on the internet, where a small local business may barely appear. When it searches the web, it sometimes works with outside search providers, including Microsoft. Perplexity runs its own crawler. A strong Google ranking doesn't carry over to these tools automatically. Common causes are a robots.txt file that blocks OAI-SearchBot or PerplexityBot, pages Bing hasn't indexed, thin service pages, mismatched listings and few reviews.
Do I need an llms.txt file or special schema to show up in AI answers?
You don't need either one for Google. Google says its Search ignores llms.txt files, Markdown copies and other AI text files. It also says its AI features need no special schema markup (structured data). We still add an llms.txt file and a Markdown copy of your key pages, because some AI tools and agents read them. According to Google, those files neither help nor hurt your visibility in Google Search. We also add standard schema markup, which Google still recommends as part of SEO (search engine optimization). The core of the work is clear pages, accurate listings and reviews.
How long does it take to get cited by AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity?
There's no set timeline, and no one can promise a date. Some technical fixes register fast. OpenAI says robots.txt changes take about 24 hours to reach its search systems. Perplexity says the same change can take up to 24 hours. Getting cited depends on how quickly your pages get crawled and indexed and whether the AI tool picks them as a good answer. Google says indexing and serving in its AI features isn't guaranteed. Our monthly AI check records whether you're named or cited. Your report shows any change from one month to the next.
What are AEO and GEO? Do they replace SEO?
AEO (answer engine optimization) and GEO (generative engine optimization) both mean making your business easy for AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google's AI answers to find and cite. They don't replace SEO (search engine optimization), because they build on it. Google says optimizing for its AI search is still SEO, whatever name it goes by. The extra goal is getting your business named or quoted inside the AI's answer, on top of ranking your pages in search results. The term GEO comes from a 2023 research paper.
Is SEO even worth it anymore? I heard AI is taking over search.
It is, because AI search leans on the same foundations. Google says optimizing for its AI features is still SEO (search engine optimization). ChatGPT search sometimes works with outside search providers, including Microsoft. A clear website, accurate listings and good reviews help you show up in regular results and in AI answers. Microsoft's advice for getting cited in its AI answers sounds a lot like good SEO too. It recommends clear headings, tables, sections of frequently asked questions and content you keep up to date.
Can I pay ChatGPT or Perplexity to recommend my business?
Neither one sells a place inside its answers. ChatGPT now shows ads to some users. OpenAI started rolling out a beta of its self-serve Ads Manager to U.S. advertisers in May 2026. Those ads are labeled as sponsored and kept visually separate from the answer. OpenAI says ads don't influence the answers ChatGPT gives. Perplexity dropped its sponsored placements and said in early 2026 it wouldn't pursue ads for now. Getting named in the answer still depends on a clear website, accurate listings and real reviews.
I think AI is sharing wrong information about my business. What do I do?
Fix the sources first, then report the answer. AI tools draw on what's published about you. Update your Google Business Profile, website, Bing Places listing and major directories until your hours, phone and services match everywhere. If we build or host your site, keeping your listings consistent is part of our monthly SEO (search engine optimization) work. Google reviews Business Profile edits before they go live. In Google's AI Overviews, click the thumbs-down at the bottom of the overview and choose Report a problem. In ChatGPT, click the thumbs-down under the response.
If I already show up on ChatGPT, why do I need an optimized website?
You need it because your website is one of the sources AI tools cite. It's also where customers go next. ChatGPT answers that use web search can include citations that open the source. Google's AI Overviews include links to supporting information from the web. When someone clicks through to check you out, your site has to answer their questions and make it easy to call, book or ask for a quote. AI answers change over time. Your website is a source about your business that you control.
AI phone agent
How much does an AI receptionist cost, and how long does it take to set up?
We quote the AI phone agent after the free audit, because the cost depends on what you need it to handle. The audit is ready in 3 business days. You'll know the price before any work starts. We build each agent for your business, including its greeting, what it handles and where calls go. Any usage charges are itemized separately where they apply. Setup time depends on those same details. Every agent should be tested with real calls before it goes live.
Will callers know they're talking to an AI? Will they mind?
Callers will know if the greeting tells them. We build each agent's greeting around your business. Some callers will always prefer a person. Still, an agent that picks up and saves their details gives them a clearer next step than a phone that rings out. Calling back quickly helps too. Some states also have disclosure rules. Utah, for example, requires businesses to tell consumers they're talking with generative AI if the consumer clearly and unambiguously asks. Ask a lawyer what applies to your business.
Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
Some can, when they're connected to a calendar or booking system, while others only take messages. Ours picks up when you can't, saves the caller's details and answers missed calls 24/7. We build each agent around what it needs to handle for your business. Customers can book themselves through the booking calendars and forms we set up. Booking, invoicing and follow-up all run in our CRM (customer relationship management) system.
Is an AI receptionist worth it for a small business that gets under 10 calls a day?
It can be, because the value depends more on what one job is worth than on how many calls you get. If you're often on a job site or driving, a few missed calls a week can mean lost work. A caller who reaches no one may try someone else. Ours answers missed calls 24/7 and saves the caller's details, so you can call back knowing what they need. If someone already answers nearly every call, you may not need it.
Can I keep my business number?
In most cases, you can. One common setup keeps your current phone service and forwards the calls you don't answer to the AI agent. Another moves your number to a new provider. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) says you can generally keep your number when you switch providers and stay in the same area. Either way, your customers keep calling the number they already know.
How do emergency calls get handled with AI?
An AI phone agent handles emergency calls by following rules set up before it goes live. A good setup spells out which calls count as urgent, like a burst pipe, storm damage or a boat taking on water, and what should happen with them. We build each agent around your business, including what it handles and where calls go. The greeting should also tell anyone with a life-threatening emergency to hang up and dial 911.
What kind of business should avoid an AI phone receptionist?
It's a weaker fit if nearly every call needs expert judgment on the spot, if your customers expect a person every time, or if you already answer almost every call. Businesses that handle health information should be careful too. Under HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), a vendor that handles protected health information for a covered health care provider generally needs a written business associate agreement. If that's you, check with your compliance advisor first.